A Dutch college has sacked a former observatory director after allegations of “extraordinarily unacceptable habits”, in accordance with a report.
Tim de Zeeuw, now former astronomer with Leiden College, confirmed the withdrawal on Wednesday October 26 in a press release through a lawyer to physics world (opens in a brand new tab). He was additionally former Director Common of the European Southern Observatory between 2007 and 2017, and former Director of Leiden Observatory from 2003 to 2007.
The assertion mentioned the astronomer “can not agree” with the choice of the college’s board of trustees, however that he’ll observe “all measures imposed”, the report provides.
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Leiden officers issued a press release (opens in a brand new tab) on October 18, who reported on the outcomes of an investigation led her to fireside a professor, whom she didn’t title, who “subjected numerous colleagues to intimidating and unacceptable habits for an extended time period” . The professor has been suspended pending the investigation, officers added.
“The professor won’t be allowed to return to the college [and] will not be permitted to oversee a PhD. candidates,” Leiden officers wrote, pledging to “critically look at the teachings we as a college must be taught from this, and the way we are able to be certain that unacceptable habits is addressed extra quickly sooner or later”.
Leiden’s investigation passed off “after numerous workers members lodged a criticism with the dean in regards to the professor in query”, college officers added, noting that the investigation included an unbiased complaints committee as nicely than the college board.
Each Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany, and the intergovernmental astronomy group ESO additionally minimize ties with the previous professor from Leiden. Max Planck’s removing was reported in Physics World, whereas ESO officers revealed their personal assertion (opens in a brand new tab) Wednesday.
“We specific our deep assist and sympathy for the victims of this harassment. ESO strongly opposes all types of harassment, bullying and different unacceptable habits,” ESO officers mentioned, including that the astronomer is banned from all observatory premises, conferences and pc amenities. .
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